BBWAA unveils award finalists

Secaucus, NJ (SportsNetwork.com) - The Baseball Writers' Association of America revealed the candidates for MLB's four major individual honors on Tuesday.

Clayton Kershaw has a chance at joining elite company as the Dodgers ace is
among the three NL MVP finalists. The last pitcher to win the MVP award in the
Senior Circuit was Bob Gibson in 1968.

Kershaw will almost certainly take home his third NL Cy Young Award in four
years. The left-hander led the majors with 21 wins in just 27 starts, and his
minuscule 1.77 ERA and 0.86 WHIP rank among the best of the last century.

Johnny Cueto of the Reds and Adam Wainwright of the Cardinals are the other
finalists for the NL Cy Young Award, while Giancarlo Stanton of the Marlins
and Andrew McCutchen of the Pirates will battle Kershaw for MVP honors.

McCutchen is trying to win the award in back-to-back seasons.

Miguel Cabrera's two-year reign as AL MVP has come to an end, as Angels
outfielder Mike Trout, Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez and Indians
outfielder Michael Brantley were named this year's finalists. Trout was the
runner-up to Cabrera each of the previous two seasons.

Felix Hernandez of the Mariners, Corey Kluber of the Indians and Chris Sale of
the White Sox were nominated on the AL Cy Young Award ballot.

Baltimore's Buck Showalter, the Angels' Mike Scioscia and Ned Yost of the AL
champion Royals were the nominees for the AL Manager of the Year Award.
Showalter first won this award 20 years ago with the Yankees and added another
10 years later with the Rangers.

Bruce Bochy of the World Series champion Giants, Washington's Matt Williams
and Pittsburgh's Clint Hurdle comprise the field for the best NL skipper.